Sorry for the absence; I've been taking a buttload of CLEPs lately, trying to earn that college credit so that, should I actually get around to enlisting, I can get that all-important extra rank. Mmm, rank. But during my breaks from studying and generally being a poor housewife (sorry, Addison!), I've been thinking a lot about a number of different things; namely, just how we, a nation founded on and in Christianity, could have created a religion unto ourselves so far removed from what the Bible actually says about it. First, watch this video (if you haven't already):
I've never gone to Church, well except once when I was really young, possibly 12, and even then I felt no need to go to church and then walk out sinning-- not that I do that but we do little wrongs (I think) each day, like say something mean, or think ghastly thoughts. All I've ever had in myself and others and Him was "Faith". It even says it in the Bible somewhere, what it is to have faith and since I've read that and probably only that from the Bible, I know how to go about living life and believing in only the best choice for me (even if I don't agree with it or understand it).
Now we Emerging Christians don't really like to hear that.
Would you call yourself an Emergent Christian? The reason I believe that the American Church is undergoing spiritual decay is because (a) they were only partially faithful to the apostolic deposit before they arrived in the New World, (b) it's been de-evolving ever since they got here and (c) what good they had has been so diluted and warped that even if it were consistently applied it wouldn't work because it's got no basis in reality. The one-night stand spirituality Billy Graham is selling was weak before and it's most definitely weak now.
@mr_jargon - Yes and no. I consider myself an emerging Christian in the spirit of emerging Christianity, but I don't consider myself a member of the "emergent church." One of the things Protestants are really good at being bad with is turning good ideas into denominations -- just look at what we've done to poor Luther.
Honestly, if we look at Christianity around the world, it thrives where it's criminalized. In a few years there will be more Christians in China than in the US (although, if you only counted true Christians, rather than self-proclaimed Christians, I would wager there are probably more in China today than here). We've so coddled and protected and babied American Christianity that we've strangled it and taken it out of the context of social revolution. Christianity is supposed to be radical -- it can only survive when it's radical. Where is that radicalism here?
@GermanWrench - There are "churches" where folks celebrate Christian feast days (Easter, Christmas, etc.) at the appointed times without the pre-appointed times of fasting and prayer. Indeed, fasting is considered legalistic. There is as much knowledge about where the holidays or "holy days" came from as there is about where the Bible came from, which is assumed to have fallen out of the sky.. in English. You get 'saved' forever when you say two-minute prayer begging Jesus to save you from his angry Father, who is going to place 90% of humanity in a hot stove for infinity years because the original man wounded his ego. My stomach churns when this is mistakenly labeled the faith of the apostles. If I thought this was the real deal, I would have turned in my badge a long while back. The theological fracturing of Protestantism was completely inevitable from 1517. If any self-appointed layman can step up, collect "God's money" (tithes), preach and what have you, then anything less than pure chaos is a divine gift. Demonationalism is like theological capitalism. Every individual has equal right to enter the market and the only way to beat out the competition to be innovative.
But where is the scripture that says that a prayer, repeated word-for-word by a minister, said once and never again thought about or affirmed, will ultimately save your soul? Where is it?
We agree; absolutely nowhere. Now why expect fire to "purify" what we both acknowledge to be a fake?
It's funny, but I know I have a lot of different ideas than many "American Christians" and I have felt on the outside. Because of that I think, my faith is VERY strong, and I am certain I know what is right and wrong for me. I don't always do the right thing, but I know without a doubt what it is. That said, my ideas are VASTLY different from many Christian's... at least, that I have talked to. In that way, I feel a bit like a rebel- serving God and being a Christian in my own way. So I can see what you mean by having to be a rebel to be a real Christian.
Glad to see you back! :)
Excellent post! Very thoughtful. Your points have been demonstrated quite well in the Church's 2,000 year history as well. When church and state merge, the state corrupts the church, seducing her with power and wealth and influence. Only a remnant remains faithful, and the Church is purified through persecution and the gospel re-remerges for a time.
Highly recomended reading: Revival and Revivalism by Ian Murray
@RiverCritter - When church and state merge, the state corrupts the church, seducing her with power and wealth and influence.
It's not *all* bad. There would be no Bible, Nicene Creed or consistent Trinitarian-Christological terminology without such synergy.
It seems pretty clear the Holy Spirit's wooing you into a greater intimacy with Him. I urge you to respond. Any person who is willing to obey the Word of God and know Christ intimately is going to live a radical Christian life. Guaranteed.
I don't know where you attend church or what extra-curricular teaching you receive, but I would urge to feed your spirit more. SermonIndex.net is a good place to start. Are you acquainted with David Wilkerson? (I've subscribed to his newsletters for decades, and more than once they've been the old meat I was being served.) I also can't speak highly enough of Times Square Church. Carter and Theresa Conlon pwn.
Compromise and complacency are just sin, and sin is what destroys the church, one member at a time. Would persecution bring change? Yes. So would obedience. That's the "how" you asked about, and it's a very easy 3-Step Process: (1) Repent, (2) Obey, and (3) repeat until Christ returns. We don't have to experience persecution to decide to obey now. And, um...we are accountable for the truth we already possess, which makes disobedience all that more foolish and destructive.
BTW, I can't help wonder why you call Christianity a "social rebellion." Rebelliousness is not in the nature of Christ and He did not come to change society or the culture. Christ came to redeem His Bride, and once redeemed He called us to busy ourselves telling that good news until He returned. He never told us to start a rebellion. He never told us to infiltrate the society to change it.
You know, being a radical Christian doesn't mean wearing animal skins and eating grasshoppers. It means living a surrendered life, making obedience to God our priority. When we start doing that, and we become the change we seek. And, if we are not willing to let it begin with us first, it will never happen.
For the record: All humanity hates being told what they can and cannot do. Look at the Bible. Rebelliousness and a love of sin is not unique to Americans. Remember Adam & Eve?
I hope that one day your experience in Christ will feel more like a liberation than a burden.
Be blessed! Caroline
I think your are absolute right on the money. And I'm sorry but I must disagree with something "BooksForMe" said,
"BTW, I can't help wonder why you call Christianity a "social rebellion." Rebelliousness is not in the nature of Christ and He did not come to change society or the culture...."
It is the world which is in rebellion against God, so what Jesus teaches is restoration to God's way of doing things. It is in fact rebellion against rebellion. And Christianity can't help but radically change the culture it comes in contact with. The Romans didn't persecute and murder Christians because they DIDN'T "mess" with the society. Everything in the Bible stands against the worlds wicked influence, and when enough people become truly converted to Christianity then that culture does indeed change. It's slow it's bloody, and it does indeed thrive better under persecution, but make no mistake about it, Jesus came to bring rebellion.
Luke 12:53, "They will be divided, fatheragainstson and sonagainstfather, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
If that ain't rebellion then I don't know what is!!
Lonnie
I've read a recent book on this topic that basically agreed with your conclusion. The freedom in America means that we are free to worship...but that we are less free to judge someone else's so-called freedom. It's a two-edged sword. And yes, the failure of the Emergent Church to call more things EVIL is why I often reject its churches/people, even though much of its other traits are wonderful.
Good post, though I believe all that is required for salvation is faith. Paul wrote in Romans 10:9, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him form the dead, you will be saved". It is one's faith that should drive them to try to lead a Christ-like life and flee from evil. I do not think we are in any position to judge the salvation or the actions of other Christians.
I agree with your conclusion . I consider myself a strong beleiver, waving my faith around like a banner, and even thought myself "saved" from when I was very little because of the way my parents raised me to be aware of god and christianity. Was baptized at the age of twelve, but my heart really wasn't into it, so I remained confused for a long time on what it meant to be a christian. When I think on it, I'm pretty much different from most of the christians I grew up with. We have different ideas about salvation and how to actually live life. I don't think my salvation depends on "water baptism," like others do, or that once you are baptized or raised a certain way, you are always saved. I beleive the road to salvation takes some ongoing, neverending progress. Nobody is perfect, not even in christiandom. I still make mistakes and stupid desicions even in times when I know the right from wrong. And occasionally do what is considered "partaking in eeevil " But I'm thirsty for change and serious about serving god and doing my best as a christian, so as long as I keep pressing and trying hard enough to apply myself the way I should, I beleive I'll get where I want someday. Sorry for getting a bit off topic abit. This was interesting, thnx alot for posting
@wearywalden - This is true -- but belief that does not create works is not really faith. Christ said, "If you believe in my Father, so what? Even the demons do as much." Then He told us HOW we are to judge: By their fruit. Otherwise, how would we be able to tell a true prophet from a false one? You're right that it's ultimately faith that makes the change, but if your (universal "your", not specific ;) faith isn't causing you to live a lifestyle that the entire world can see and identify you as a Christian, then guess what, you don't really believe. Which, I guess was my point.
I know that the Gospel is true, and that the Pauline epistles are good for instruction, but I sometimes wonder whether that's all head-knowledge or actual faith.
This is a post that I needed to hear! My pastor was actually talking about this Wednesday night. I'm going to share this with him. Thinking about how we are to be holy as Christ is holy and seeing this video shakes me to the core in fear and trembling at realizing the holiness of God that we (I) so often forget or choose not to think about. Thank you for sharing this! May God richly bless you!
@GermanWrench - I am just trying to say, it is not our place to judge whether or not another Christian's faith. God is the only one who can determine what "real" faith is. "Real" faith may present itself in very different ways in different people. Of course Christians should try to live a life that brings glory to God but salvation does not come from how we live but from faith.
@wearywalden - I'm not so sure I agree with that. When the members of the church of Corinth asked Paul, "How do we know we're saved?" he told them to test themselves against the scriptures. "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" If you measure yourself against what Christ has commanded, and come up short, then guess what: Your faith is false. Paul continues, "Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down." A person who is truly walking in the light knows it because when he messes up, and goes against the commands of Christ, God holds him accountable to those actions.
I'm not talking about works-based salvation; I'm talking about salvation-based works. If a person truly believes that he's going to die, then guess what, that belief is going to be evident in his actions; if it's not he's either lying or insane. That's not a judgment of condemnation, it's a judgment of reason. We judge every thing in this world, and often with human, fallible reasoning; why can, or should, we not judge what is not of this world, whose consequences are of eternal importance, with the means that Christ Himself tells us to judge? 1 Cor 6:1-3 says, "If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!" It's not about condemnation, but discernment.
@GermanWrench - Your points are valid but the bible clearly teaches that only God can judge the faith of others.
"Do not judge, or you will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attentino to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:1,2
"Accept him whoes faith is weak, without pasing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." Romans 14:2
"There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you, who are you to judge your neighbor?" James 4:12
My big problem with that video is his focus on what God hates. He mentions "living like Jesus" once, and the rest of it is devoted to a listing of sins.
It seems to me, from my reading of the Gospels, that Jesus mostly spoke about how you should live your life, and not so much about what sins we should detest in others. This video seems a continuation of the pointing of fingers that I find so abhorrent in modern Christianity...
@mama_jess - Jesus tells us to love others. If you love someone, do you not want to do everything possible to keep them from going to Hell? It's not about condemnation or breaking others down to build yourself up; it's about loving as God loves. As C.S. Lewis put it, we so often say "God is love" as though it's supposed to make us feel warm and fuzzy. We don't recognize that, in actual, terrible fact, God loves us, and will do anything to make us lovable. God's love is awesome and holy and desires for no impure thing to remain in His beloved. Our society has so watered-down the concept of true love that we just say, "If you love someone, you want to make them happy." But God says, "If you love someone, you want to make them holy." There's a big difference.
"I believe I have come to the conclusion that legal protection for Christianity is what will kill the US church, by creating this complacency."
A pastor whom I've heard a few sermons states "if you can't say Amen, say ouch."
Ouch!
I agree fully. We fight for our government to be Christian, but it's our government tolerating Christians that aids us in becoming complacent. We need persecution. I do wonder if there is ever a time when the church has thrived when it wasn't being persecuted.
We aren't hated because we aren't radical, and we aren't radical because we aren't hated.
Comments (22)
I've never gone to Church, well except once when I was really young, possibly 12, and even then I felt no need to go to church and then walk out sinning-- not that I do that but we do little wrongs (I think) each day, like say something mean, or think ghastly thoughts. All I've ever had in myself and others and Him was "Faith". It even says it in the Bible somewhere, what it is to have faith and since I've read that and probably only that from the Bible, I know how to go about living life and believing in only the best choice for me (even if I don't agree with it or understand it).
Now we Emerging Christians don't really like to hear that.
Would you call yourself an Emergent Christian? The reason I believe that the American Church is undergoing spiritual decay is because (a) they were only partially faithful to the apostolic deposit before they arrived in the New World, (b) it's been de-evolving ever since they got here and (c) what good they had has been so diluted and warped that even if it were consistently applied it wouldn't work because it's got no basis in reality. The one-night stand spirituality Billy Graham is selling was weak before and it's most definitely weak now.
@mr_jargon - Yes and no. I consider myself an emerging Christian in the spirit of emerging Christianity, but I don't consider myself a member of the "emergent church." One of the things Protestants are really good at being bad with is turning good ideas into denominations -- just look at what we've done to poor Luther.
Honestly, if we look at Christianity around the world, it thrives where it's criminalized. In a few years there will be more Christians in China than in the US (although, if you only counted true Christians, rather than self-proclaimed Christians, I would wager there are probably more in China today than here). We've so coddled and protected and babied American Christianity that we've strangled it and taken it out of the context of social revolution. Christianity is supposed to be radical -- it can only survive when it's radical. Where is that radicalism here?
@GermanWrench - There are "churches" where folks celebrate Christian feast days (Easter, Christmas, etc.) at the appointed times without the pre-appointed times of fasting and prayer. Indeed, fasting is considered legalistic. There is as much knowledge about where the holidays or "holy days" came from as there is about where the Bible came from, which is assumed to have fallen out of the sky.. in English. You get 'saved' forever when you say two-minute prayer begging Jesus to save you from his angry Father, who is going to place 90% of humanity in a hot stove for infinity years because the original man wounded his ego. My stomach churns when this is mistakenly labeled the faith of the apostles. If I thought this was the real deal, I would have turned in my badge a long while back. The theological fracturing of Protestantism was completely inevitable from 1517. If any self-appointed layman can step up, collect "God's money" (tithes), preach and what have you, then anything less than pure chaos is a divine gift. Demonationalism is like theological capitalism. Every individual has equal right to enter the market and the only way to beat out the competition to be innovative.
But where is the scripture that says that a prayer, repeated
word-for-word by a minister, said once and never again thought about or
affirmed, will ultimately save your soul? Where is it?
We agree; absolutely nowhere. Now why expect fire to "purify" what we both acknowledge to be a fake?
It's funny, but I know I have a lot of different ideas than many "American Christians" and I have felt on the outside. Because of that I think, my faith is VERY strong, and I am certain I know what is right and wrong for me. I don't always do the right thing, but I know without a doubt what it is. That said, my ideas are VASTLY different from many Christian's... at least, that I have talked to. In that way, I feel a bit like a rebel- serving God and being a Christian in my own way. So I can see what you mean by having to be a rebel to be a real Christian.
Glad to see you back! :)
Excellent post! Very thoughtful. Your points have been demonstrated quite well in the Church's 2,000 year history as well. When church and state merge, the state corrupts the church, seducing her with power and wealth and influence. Only a remnant remains faithful, and the Church is purified through persecution and the gospel re-remerges for a time.
Highly recomended reading: Revival and Revivalism by Ian Murray
@RiverCritter - When church and state merge, the state corrupts the church, seducing her with power and wealth and influence.
It's not *all* bad. There would be no Bible, Nicene Creed or consistent Trinitarian-Christological terminology without such synergy.
It seems pretty clear the Holy Spirit's wooing you into a greater intimacy with Him. I urge
you to respond. Any person who is willing to obey the Word of God and
know Christ intimately is going to live a radical Christian life. Guaranteed.
I don't know where you attend church or what extra-curricular teaching you receive, but I would urge to feed your spirit more. SermonIndex.net is a good place to start. Are you acquainted with David Wilkerson? (I've subscribed to his newsletters for decades, and more than once they've been the old meat I was being served.) I also can't speak highly enough of Times Square Church. Carter and Theresa Conlon pwn.
Compromise and complacency are just sin, and sin is what destroys the church, one member at a time. Would persecution bring change? Yes. So would obedience. That's the "how" you asked about, and it's a very easy 3-Step Process: (1) Repent, (2) Obey, and (3) repeat until Christ returns. We don't have to experience persecution to decide to obey now. And, um...we are accountable for the truth we already possess, which makes disobedience all that more foolish and destructive.
BTW, I can't help wonder why you call Christianity a "social rebellion." Rebelliousness is not in the nature of Christ and He did not come to change society or the culture. Christ came to redeem His Bride, and once redeemed He called us to busy ourselves telling that good news until He returned. He never told us to start a rebellion. He never told us to infiltrate the society to change it.
You know, being a radical Christian doesn't mean wearing animal skins and eating grasshoppers. It means living a surrendered life, making obedience to God our priority. When we start doing that, and we become the change we seek. And, if we are not willing to let it begin with us first, it will never happen.
For the record: All humanity hates being told what they can and cannot do. Look at the Bible. Rebelliousness and a love of sin is not unique to Americans. Remember Adam & Eve?
I hope that one day your experience in Christ will feel more like a liberation than a burden.
Be blessed!
Caroline
I think your are absolute right on the money. And I'm sorry but I must disagree with something "BooksForMe" said,
"BTW, I can't help wonder why you call Christianity a "social rebellion." Rebelliousness is not in the nature of Christ and He did not come to change society or the culture...."
It is the world which is in rebellion against God, so what Jesus teaches is restoration to God's way of doing things. It is in fact rebellion against rebellion. And Christianity can't help but radically change the culture it comes in contact with. The Romans didn't persecute and murder Christians because they DIDN'T "mess" with the society. Everything in the Bible stands against the worlds wicked influence, and when enough people become truly converted to Christianity then that culture does indeed change. It's slow it's bloody, and it does indeed thrive better under persecution, but make no mistake about it, Jesus came to bring rebellion.
Luke 12:53, "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
If that ain't rebellion then I don't know what is!!
Lonnie
I've read a recent book on this topic that basically agreed with your conclusion. The freedom in America means that we are free to worship...but that we are less free to judge someone else's so-called freedom. It's a two-edged sword. And yes, the failure of the Emergent Church to call more things EVIL is why I often reject its churches/people, even though much of its other traits are wonderful.
Good post, though I believe all that is required for salvation is faith. Paul wrote in Romans 10:9, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him form the dead, you will be saved". It is one's faith that should drive them to try to lead a Christ-like life and flee from evil. I do not think we are in any position to judge the salvation or the actions of other Christians.
I agree with your conclusion
. I consider myself a strong beleiver, waving my faith around like a banner, and even thought myself "saved" from when I was very little because of the way my parents raised me to be aware of god and christianity. Was baptized at the age of twelve, but my heart really wasn't into it, so I remained confused for a long time on what it meant to be a christian. When I think on it, I'm pretty much different from most of the christians I grew up with. We have different ideas about salvation and how to actually live life. I don't think my salvation depends on "water baptism," like others do, or that once you are baptized or raised a certain way, you are always saved. I beleive the road to salvation takes some ongoing, neverending progress. Nobody is perfect, not even in christiandom. I still make mistakes and stupid desicions even in times when I know the right from wrong. And occasionally do what is considered "partaking in eeevil 
" But I'm thirsty for change and serious about serving god and doing my best as a christian, so as long as I keep pressing and trying hard enough to apply myself the way I should, I beleive I'll get where I want someday. Sorry for getting a bit off topic abit. This was interesting, thnx alot for posting 
@wearywalden - Yah, I agree
!
@wearywalden - This is true -- but belief that does not create works is not really faith. Christ said, "If you believe in my Father, so what? Even the demons do as much." Then He told us HOW we are to judge: By their fruit. Otherwise, how would we be able to tell a true prophet from a false one? You're right that it's ultimately faith that makes the change, but if your (universal "your", not specific ;) faith isn't causing you to live a lifestyle that the entire world can see and identify you as a Christian, then guess what, you don't really believe. Which, I guess was my point.
I know that the Gospel is true, and that the Pauline epistles are good for instruction, but I sometimes wonder whether that's all head-knowledge or actual faith.
This is a post that I needed to hear! My pastor was actually talking about this Wednesday night. I'm going to share this with him. Thinking about how we are to be holy as Christ is holy and seeing this video shakes me to the core in fear and trembling at realizing the holiness of God that we (I) so often forget or choose not to think about. Thank you for sharing this! May God richly bless you!
@GermanWrench - I am just trying to say, it is not our place to judge whether or not another Christian's faith. God is the only one who can determine what "real" faith is. "Real" faith may present itself in very different ways in different people. Of course Christians should try to live a life that brings glory to God but salvation does not come from how we live but from faith.
@wearywalden - I'm not so sure I agree with that. When the members of the church of Corinth asked Paul, "How do we know we're saved?" he told them to test themselves against the scriptures. "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test
yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of
course, you fail the test?" If you measure yourself against what Christ has commanded, and come up short, then guess what: Your faith is false. Paul continues, "Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people
will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right
even though we may seem to have failed.For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. This
is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may
not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave
me for building you up, not for tearing you down." A person who is truly walking in the light knows it because when he messes up, and goes against the commands of Christ, God holds him accountable to those actions.
I'm not talking about works-based salvation; I'm talking about salvation-based works. If a person truly believes that he's going to die, then guess what, that belief is going to be evident in his actions; if it's not he's either lying or insane. That's not a judgment of condemnation, it's a judgment of reason. We judge every thing in this world, and often with human, fallible reasoning; why can, or should, we not judge what is not of this world, whose consequences are of eternal importance, with the means that Christ Himself tells us to judge? 1 Cor 6:1-3 says, "If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do
you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to
judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!" It's not about condemnation, but discernment.
@GermanWrench - Your points are valid but the bible clearly teaches that only God can judge the faith of others.
"Do not judge, or you will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attentino to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:1,2
"Accept him whoes faith is weak, without pasing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." Romans 14:2
"There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you, who are you to judge your neighbor?" James 4:12
My big problem with that video is his focus on what God hates. He mentions "living like Jesus" once, and the rest of it is devoted to a listing of sins.
It seems to me, from my reading of the Gospels, that Jesus mostly spoke about how you should live your life, and not so much about what sins we should detest in others. This video seems a continuation of the pointing of fingers that I find so abhorrent in modern Christianity...
@mama_jess - Jesus tells us to love others. If you love someone, do you not want to do everything possible to keep them from going to Hell? It's not about condemnation or breaking others down to build yourself up; it's about loving as God loves. As C.S. Lewis put it, we so often say "God is love" as though it's supposed to make us feel warm and fuzzy. We don't recognize that, in actual, terrible fact, God loves us, and will do anything to make us lovable. God's love is awesome and holy and desires for no impure thing to remain in His beloved. Our society has so watered-down the concept of true love that we just say, "If you love someone, you want to make them happy." But God says, "If you love someone, you want to make them holy." There's a big difference.
"I believe I have come to the conclusion that legal protection for
Christianity is what will kill the US church, by creating this
complacency."
A pastor whom I've heard a few sermons states "if you can't say Amen, say ouch."
Ouch!
I agree fully. We fight for our government to be Christian, but it's our government tolerating Christians that aids us in becoming complacent. We need persecution. I do wonder if there is ever a time when the church has thrived when it wasn't being persecuted.
We aren't hated because we aren't radical, and we aren't radical because we aren't hated.